Premier League: Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 2

Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge rescued a point for Liverpool as they came from two goals behind to earn a 2-2 with Aston Villa.

Published

18 January 2014

Paul Lambert's side had taken the lead at Anfield as Andreas Weimann netted his third goal of the season after excellent work from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor was on hand again in the 36th minute to create Villa's second, his cross evading Simon Mignolet to allow Christian Benteke to head into an open net from six yards out.

However, Sturridge latched onto a Jordan Henderson flick to half the deficit with his 11th league goal of the season and Gerrard levelled the scores from the penalty spot seven minutes after the interval.

Despite failing to win, a point for Villa moves them into 10th place in the Premier League while Liverpool remain fourth.

Sturridge was fit to start his first game since November after recovering from an ankle injury, while the visitors gave a debut to loan signing Ryan Bertrand and recalled Weimann to the starting line-up.

Villa started brightly and wasted chances from Agbonlahor, Ashley Westwood and Ciaran Clark to break the deadlock, but when Weimann was presented his opportunity he made no mistake.

Agbonlahor was released behind the Liverpool defence on the left and delivered a low cross into the six yard box where Weimann, who nipped in front of Gerrard, was placed to turn the ball home from close range.

Villa doubled their lead nine minutes later as Benteke made it two goals in as many games, the striker having the simple task of heading into an empty goal after Mignolet misjudged an Agbonlahor cross from the right.

Sturridge halved the deficit in the closing seconds of the half, the striker latching onto a neat flick from Jordan Henderson before firing beyond Brad Guzan to give the hosts hope.

With the extra momentum Liverpool levelled soon after the half-time break as Luis Suarez was brought down by Guzan inside the penalty area, referee Jon Moss pointing to the spot.

Gerrard assumed the responsibility and made no mistake for his fifth league goal of the season, and his 12th against Villa - more than he has put past any other side.

Fabian Delph went close to putting Villa back ahead on the hour with a curling effort from 20 yards, while Henderson brought out a fantastic save from Guzan five minutes later from the edge of the penalty area.

Suarez went agonisingly close to sealing all three points for Liverpool in the 77th minute, but his free-kick was inches wide of Guzan's right-hand post.

The Uruguayan was central to Liverpool's late efforts to snatch a win but they ultimately had to settle for a draw, which leaves them trailing league leaders Arsenal by nine points.